A Digital Press is added to the system defaults, there are 2 steps to complete;
- Setting the default sizes, dimensions and paper settings.
- Setting the calculation costs that will be used for the press.
This article will provide an overview of setting up a new Digital Press to your system.
Digital Press Settings
1. Click the Settings cog (top right corner), then select ePrint MIS.
The window is arranged with a navigation pane on the left-hand side of the screen.
2. Click Plant and Presses, then Digital Press, then Add New Record.
3. The first screen requires all the sizes and general default settings to be created. The table below will provide an general overview of these settings.
Note: Items marked with an asterix (*) are required in order to save the details of the printer. For the purposes of this article values have been entered, however by adding a new record you will be required to enter the values according to the Press you are setting up.
**Note: This screen is displaying imperial measurements, therefore it is important to ensuring the measurements are accurate according to your region.
| FIELD | DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|---|
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| The name of the Digital Press is required, this is the name that is referenced throughout system. The description is optional, it is useful where there is more then one digital press or the press is listed more than once so that different cost settings can be applied. |
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| Check this option to set it as the default press for the system. This can be over-ridden in the estimate/job enabling you to choose a different press if you wish. |
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| Required fields. Measurements are entered in metric or imperial according to the region of the system. Enter the maximum dimensions of the sheet size that the Press accepts. |
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| A Required Field. The Maximum weight that the press will allow. |
| PRESS RESTRICTIONS | The press restrictions are set as default within the press setup. They can be enabled or disabled within each estimate/job. | |
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| The area in both height and width refers to the edges of the print sheet that the press cannot reach to print on. |
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| The desired space between the items that are printed, enter both the horizontal and Vertical measurements. In metric systems 3 or 5mm would be normal and in imperial 0.25 Inches would be normal. |
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| This is the estimated spoilage that may be expected on each job. Values are entered according to either metric or imperial measurements for the regional settings of the system. - Set up spoilage - the number of sheets likely to be wasted at the beginning of the job. In digital printing this is normally just 2-5 sheets. - Running Spoilage - is entered as a percentage. It may accommodate for the amount of spoilage lost to a paper jam for instance. Typically this would be 1 or 2%. |
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| This is the default paper that is used most of the time when printing on this press. The stock must be entered into the Inventory list of the system. It can be entered by clicking on the plus symbol, then selecting Add Paper. This field is not mandatory and you may wish to not set a default paper especially if you regularly use different papers on the press. |
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| Select from the drop-down list the Print Sheet Size that is used with this press the majority of the time. If the size is not visible in the list, you will need to enter it in as a new size within the Default Paper/Stock Sizes location. Typically this size will be set as the largest size sheet the press can print on. |
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| Select the default Job Size that is printed with this Press. A selection is required. If the size is not visible in the list, you will need to enter it in as a new size within the Default Paper/Stock Sizes in the system settings. A common selection for this is A4 or Letter size. |
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| Select the Guillotine or Cutter that is used in association with this printer, it must be setup in the Plant and Presses for a selection to be made. This is not a mandatory field so if you have several you don't have to set a default. |
| PLANT CHARGES | The costs associated with the Press are optional. The values entered will be incorporated into your estimating and jobs. | |
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| Both fields are entered in monetary terms. Set Up Charge ($) If you want to charge customers a setup charge when this machine is used enter the value here. It is a one off charge to cover the cost for the press operator to set up the machine, take the file to the RIP, load the paper. Minimum Running Charge ($) The minimum running charge is the minimum amount the system will charge for the production time. If the press cost is calculated to be $200 and your minimum charge is set to $300, the $300 cost will be applied and the $200 calculated cost will be over-ridden. Your customers will never see the details of the set up or minimum running charge. |
4. Click Next.
The next screen addresses the charges that will apply for the press. When initially setting up a digital press it is recommended to enter the values at cost price, then create some test estimates before determining mark-up values.
5. Click the drop-down against Calculation Method, 3 options are available;
Refer to the explanations below to determine which option suits your press charges. It is important to note once you make a selection and save the details you cannot return to this screen and make a new selection from the drop-down, you would have to create the press again.
ClickChargeZones Lookup - The most commonly used calculation method. Using the values according to the lease agreement of your press, you can specify a breakdown of the click rates. Entering a value in the Chargeable rates column will cause the Markup % to automatically adjust.
Options available in this calculation include;
- Activate the zone buildup calculation method - when ticked the system will calculate a price that will increase (build up) through the zones as it clicks. This is not a commonly selected function however available should the press calculation be done in this manner.
- Black & White calculations are entered on the left, colour on the right. If these values are the same use the Copy Black & White to Colour link (bottom right corner of the screen).
- If too many rows are provided simply click the red cross to remove them, or if not enough click Add more rows (bottom left corner)
- Note: When entering values on the last row, ensure the click zones refer to a number that is higher than you would ever produce on this press to ensure you never run an estimate that exceeds the charge zones set up.
ClickCharge Lookup - A simple cost structure is applied to the press, using the values according to the lease agreement of your press. Enter the following details:
- A rate per click for the Black and a click rate for colour based on your lease agreement for the press.
- Specify a single % markup.
- Enter a value against the chargeable sheets which will always be 1.
SpeedWeight Lookup - This calculation is rarely used. The cost structure applied to the press will be based upon both the weight of the paper and the pages that can be printed per minute.
This can be set for both Black & White and the colour.
As noted in this screen 3 values need to be entered for the paper weight,
- The first paper weight entered should be the minimum weight that the press accepts
- The second is the middle of the range in terms of the accepted paper weight.
- The last entry must be the maximum weight of paper that the press accepts.
6. Click Save.
Additional items
If you have any further questions, please contact Support.